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An English Country WeddingIf you’ve ever dreamed of floating down a grand staircase swathed in tulle and orange blossom, the great house at Stapleford Park in the British countryside should fulfill the fantasy nicely. The scene is familiar to anyone who has ever sighed over the locations
on Masterpiece Theatre: a gravel drive that sweeps past a
rustic gatehouse smothered in roses; acres of lawns, meticulously
cropped, with a flock of sheep grazing placidly in a distant field;
the house itself surrounded by manicured gardens and a balustraded
terrace. If you’ve ever dreamed of floating down a grand staircase
swathed in tulle and orange blossom, the great house at Stapleford
Park should fulfill the fantasy nicely. A Welcoming RetreatSet in the heart of Leicestershire, just an hour from London by train, Stapleford traces its roots to the 14th century. Most of the house, though, was built in the late 1800s, when it was bought by Lord and Lady Grettan, prosperous provincial brewers who added on to the place with luxurious abandon, hoping to crash their way into high society. They succeeded handsomely, both architecturally and socially: the house is a graceful, welcoming place, and by the turn of the last century, the Prince of Wales had come for a visit.Today, the 500-acre estate is one of England’s best countryhouse hotels—elegant, but relaxed. The house cat, Abigail, prowls the halls; swans glide along the lake; meals are good enough to look forward to all day long; and public rooms are furnished with cushy sofas and window seats that practically beg for a book and an afternoon glass of wine. Wedding Choices GaloreNot surprisingly, weddings here are beautifully organized. Ceremonies, performed by the local registrar, can be held in the sun-filled morning room or in the Orangery (sadly, the pretty little church of Mary Magdalene on the grounds is no longer in use). A choice of reception rooms are offered, depending on the size of your group (keep in mind that marrying abroad almost automatically means a smaller guest list—after all, 500 of your closest friends aren’t likely to cross the Atlantic for your special day). Wedding menus range from a simple champagne reception to an elaborate sit-down dinner. The staff will help organize flowers and music.One of the best things about getting married here is that when the party’s over, you don’t have to leave. Guest rooms are lovely, and each one is named for the decorator or company that designed it. My favorites are Zoffany, a dream of a honeymoon suite with pale colors, comfortable chairs and a canopied bed; Kiki McDonagh, a romantic, cottagey room covered in blue—and-white toile and views over the gardens; and Designers Guild, which is about as far as you can get from traditional country-house d cor (vivid blue walls, a hot-pink chair and a mint-green table). In the morning, throw yourself into the outdoor pleasures the house offers: golfing on a first-class course; horseback riding along serpentine trails; swimming in the mosaic-tile pool; relaxing after the big day with a massage at the spa, or exploring the ancient villages nearby. You might even want to try your hand at shooting clay pigeons—I did, but without much success—or handling birds of prey at the hotel’s school of falconry. For more informationstaplefordpark.com01572-787522; fax: 01572-787651 Guest rooms: 175-505 POUNDS per night, per couple, including breakfast; midweek and weekend specials available. WEDDING RENTALS: Ceremony:
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